Walter Rajaratne in Sydney

The international donor consortium spearheaded by Japan in a subtle
move, while upstaging Prabhakaran as the sage of peace has lambasted
JVP as the spoke driven across the Peace wheel, in its recent communiqué.
Why are they in a mighty hurry to recommence peace talks at this wee
hour on the inflexible and exclusive condition of Prabhakarans
ISGA, the stepping stone to secession stated by no lesser person than
Christina Rocca, US Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs, among
many international observers? Was it JVP that forced the LTTE to unilaterally
call off the Peace Honeymoon with Ranil 18 months ago? Sadly, the enticing
$4.5 billion carrot is dangling since the Tokyo powwow with no takers
so far. Bigger the bonanza deeper the pit it seems.

Werent these the same Santas who threw away billions in pounds
and dollars from 1977 on the mesmerising accelerated Mahaveli Project
under the pretext of a condensed 7 year scheme which was originally
earmarked for 30 yrs, in the process, reducing our beautiful central
hill landscape to sheer concrete jungles today, with hardly any benefit
to the economy in real terms. The enchantment of brazenly wowed self
sufficiency in food, new industries and electricity generation in excess,
the umpteen number of promises of the old fox JRJ eloquently declared
through his hypocritical media tycoons were discreetly gone out of the
books yesteryear. On the contrary many more future generations are bound
to pay the Euro-Amrican Afagns the dollar/pound debts with exorbitant
interests as if they were given as alms to paupers.

Nonetheless, the convoluted amnesia imposed on Sri Lankans by the Doktors,
both GL and Anton on peace carnival is such that, no one has raised
the issue as to what this enormous monetary offer comprises of and the
terms and conditions entailed in the reward for peace.

Obviously, CBK has her dream reward for peace in the form of continued
abuse of the state machinery for her greed to be the absolute monarch
of Sri Lanka with a complementary pay packet to distribute among her
favourites. Ranil on the other hand is determined to claim the Throne
at Any Cost on which he subtly surrendered the sovereignty of
the country to Prabha the devil incarnate with a coterie of think tanks
during his short stint, under the jingle bell of Peace at Any Cost.
The few rogues posing as the business community in cahoot with their
international mercenaries, ripping off the beleaguered consumer going
through untold hardships for day to day living, would not give a damn
if the scheme would pump blood money into their tills.

So its a last ditch battle for survival that Sri Lankans are
embroiled in which needs utmost patience. The rejuvenated JVP with its
young leadership has been exemplary in its conduct so far since coming
of age from its barbaric history under the maniacal old guard. But it
has to do a lot more to erase that past from the memory of Sri Lankan
masses. It must strengthen its words by matching deeds if they are genuinely
in line with democratic principles. The impasse in the peace drama has
offered them the golden opportunity to demonstrate that they are not
only patriotic and law abiding but also have an unwavering policy in
national and international issues pertaining to Sri Lankan interests.
Run up to the formation of the alliance with CBK they jointly castigated
Ranil for his opportunistic move in agreeing to the sinister conditions
laid down in MOU by Norwegians and the group calling themselves the
international community. Though its stinking now, CBK must be
made to cud the bitter chew.

If not, that amounts to a downright betrayal of an alliance that shot
her back to all conquering hot seat from where she is hatching a coup
to regain the power for another term in a different guise. In light
of this betrayal, JVP deserves the salute of the nation for sticking
to its guns by declaring NO to ISGA and everything to lasting peace,
with justice through dialogue. The international wheeler dealers headed
by Japan  the prime stake holder of SL investments- Chandrika
and Ranil must be told to fly a kite with ISGA if they are so keen.
Rather than beating around the bush she must come to the party, stating
wether she is For or Against the ISGA, through which she is craftily
making JVP the sacrificial goat.

Interestingly, you can put Cobra and Porcupine in one coop but not
this twosome Ranil and Chandrika. If in doubt read the hypocrisy of
Sri Lankan rulers and aristocrats who were the root course for surrendered
sovereignty of the country in yore. One could remember, the great old
mom of CBK, Mme.Sirima for ditching the intellectuals once she was shot
to command, paid a terrible price languishing in the twilight years
of her life. So, what a better trump card JVP is in possession to play
by saying Waltz together with Ranil and Prabha if you can?

In late eighties JRJ made a mockery of running to Washington for the
slightest cough, antagonising the mighty neighbour India. Finally, when
US bluntly told him to settle matters with India he had to go in threadbare
knees to arrogant J.N.Diksith, the Indian viceroy for mercy. Ranil,
attired in the mantle of his uncle Junius, tried the same prank in his
illusion that Who dare touch me when Bush is behind me had
no bush to hide behind when Chandrika kicked his back, with Bush saying
I am busy with Osama and Saddam.

International community, Norwegians and the peace dealers can continue
the cacophony till the cows come home. But for us, in the offing is
not the talk on ISGA. Its the war that the lunatic in the Wanni
jungle only knows the date, time and the place to declare when he is
ready. With or without ISGA it is the war that is imminent. That is
when all the generals, all the kings men and horses with their shining
ceremonial regalia will run from the back door leaving the battle to
the starving cannon fodders at the front.